Don't Go to the Cosmetics Counter Without Me

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Summary: The BEST book on beauty I've ever read!
Review: This book has saved me hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars! Paula's quick reviews and easy little rating system make shopping for makeup and skin care products as easy as whipping out the "Personal Beauty Guide" at the back of the book and heading to the store. (There's a great little pull-out at the back of this book that you can make your own notes in--the information in this huge book is so extensive that it's nice to have your own place to keep track of various things to try.) From this book, I've learned that there are good and bad products in every line and now I use just a couple department store products and the rest is inexpensive stuff from the drug store. I'm finally off the very expensive cosmetics roller coaster! I only wish I had found her books sooner--maybe I would have a down payment for a house saved up by now! If you are a "cosmetics junkie" and are sick of buying products that just don't work, slow down and read this book--I don't mean to sound corny but it will change your life!

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Summary: Isn't it interesting???
Review: ...That the reviews on this book put forth by individuals in the "beauty business" are un-complimentary? In my opinion, it solidifies exactly what Paula is saying...that we are being taken as consumers. Her book is very enlightening and I think caution should be exercised by this person in Dallas, Texas when she speaks of attorneys and such...

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Summary: Paula - One Word ---- INFOMERCIAL
Review: As a Recruiter for HABA , Cosmetics and Nutritional Manufacturers I was appalled to see a book that displays that it will assist consumers when in reality it is a cheap substitute for a 2am Infomercial -- Paula should be careful when debunking Companies Products . I hope Jinger Heath at Beauti-Control gets a copy and that Paula's Lawyers are ready to roll !

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Summary: Lies All Lies!
Review: I bought this book thinking that I would learn more about cosmetics and skin care from an impartial consumer advocate. I did know ahead of time that Paula sells her own line, but thought that I could at least gain information about what is out there in the world of cosmetics. I am a BeautiControl consultant, so of course, I turned to the BeautiControl reviews. I am not a die-hard, brain-washed salesperson--I cross lines and will try any good product. When I read the BeautiControl reviews I couldn't believe my eyes. Paula listed products that are not even sold by BeautiControl! She lists Regeneration Gold twice--with 2 different reviews. In the first review she says it has 5% AHA. On the very next page, she writes that it contains 7% AHA. BC does NOT carry any Regeneration 3 line, yet Paula has very specific reviews of 2 products which include AHA percentages, prices, and amounts! Did she make this up??? If BeautiControl does not manufacture these items, how can Paula review them and provide ingredient lists??? BC also does not make a lipstick called Color Freeze Sheer Glamour Lip Color, yet Paula highly recommends this product and tells us it sells for $12. If one section of this book is fraught with this kind of mis-information, I have sincere doubts about the book as a whole. Is Paula's research ethical? I have my doubts!

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Summary: A nice idea, but...
Review: The idea of this book is enticing: a trusty consumer guide that helps you cut through the hype at the cosmetics counter to find what really works. In reality, though, it's not that helpful. The author spends most of her time debunking the outrageous claims of skin-care manufacturers, which I guess is nice if you are the kind of person who actually believes those things. But as I read the book I found myself asking over and over, "so, what DOES work?" to which her only answers are common-sense ones like staying out of the sun and not squinting, along with ever-present pitches for her own line of cosmetics. Also, her judgments on different colors of makeup (along the lines of her first (?) book, Blue Eyeshadow Should Be Illegal) are completely out of place: bright colors are back in style, and women who want to wear them should know which brands offer the best quality. The only real revelation in the book was that way too many people who don't need it wear moisturizer. See, I just told you: now you don't have to buy the book.

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Summary: I was very disappointed with this book.
Review: The author claims to have tried the products personally but I ask you, how can one person test products designed for various skin types when each individual's skin type is as unique as a product should be? In reviewing products, she blasts her sarcasm in claiming that plant ingredients are not beneficial or at least she doesn't understand how they can be and then, to the contrary, makes a claim that plant waters in another brand are beneficial. If she doesn't have the right knowledge to analyze ingredients, how can she make recommendations? Some herbal and plant information is available in the PDR for Herbal Medicines and other information through other scientific resources. Plants and herbs are beneficial to the skin if they are skin compatable, just like skin compatable oils. Although this book and its format appear to be a good reference, the book is very misleading and inaccurate. A reader needs to remember and realize that this is one person's opinion and apparently is not based on scientific or factual information. It's a shame that publishers and distributors are not more discerning in what they make available to the public.

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Summary: Paula's advice worked for me!!!
Review: I have struggled my whole life with oily, breakout prone skin and I have tried every product on the market to make it better. What an incredible, refreshing change to read a book that tells me I need to do less, not more, to my skin to keep it healthy. I have been following Paula's advice for my skin type for two months now and have seen a dramatic improvement. My sister in CA has had the same experience. We both selected products recommended by Paula and are delighted by the results! I found it totally fascinating to read through the product reviews, and I found the breadth of coverage to be amazing. I will buy each new edition of this book.

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Summary: It's true. You shouldn't buy cosmetics without this book!
Review: This book contains outstanding information on dozens of cosmetic lines. It tells you the active ingredients and how they are likely to affect your skin. This book needs to be read in conjunction with a book like "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Beautiful Skin," written by Dr. Marsha Gordon, that provides factual and medical information on how to take care of your skin. Once you know what your skin needs are, then you can find the cosmetics that best fit your needs in the price range that you want. While Paula's opinion on what constitutes a good product may differ from that of the reader, personal differences are to be expected in such a subjective area as cosmetics. What makes this such a good book is that it gives objective information on the ingredients used in the various cosmetic lines and creates an informed starting point when you go in search of the perfect skin care and cosmetics products for your own skin. Because cosmetic lines bring out new products constantly, this book should be viewed as a reference book that needs to be replaced with each new edition.

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Summary: A useful reference, BUT......
Review: Ms. Begoun serves as your Virgil, as you descend into the Inferno of the cosmetics counter. Many misconceptions and illusions will be clarified by some of her more forthright comments. However, I have two serious criticisms. She is utterly unabashed at inserting her own line of cosmetics into the heart of this weighty tome - while demurely refraining from evaluating these products with her own rating system. This might and should shake the confidence of a consumer. (Consumer's Union she ain't!!) Also, as a personality, she emerges as altogether too prim and judgmental about a woman's style, rather than sticking to the quality of the products in question. I, for one, am not interested that she disapproves of green, metallic nail polish. The only comment of any merit is whether it is the best quality green nail polish available. But, at the bottom line, this is a valuable resource, if you take some of it with a non-irritating, matte-finish grain of salt.

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Summary: Best buy ever
Review: This book is my best buy ever. I have just finished it and I know I will save lots of money on cosmetics. The only drawback is that a lot of the reviewed products cannot be bought in Denmark, but the ones that can, Ms Begoun's recommendation are very valuable. It is a true eye-opener. Thank you Ms Begoun for writing this book.